River Focus: VIVA Enjoy on the Rhine
Following plans to bolster its presence in the UK after impressive international sales, Will Payne boards VIVA Cruises’ newest ship, VIVA Enjoy, to find out what’s on offer for British cruise-goers
The eerie stillness of a morning on the Rhine could inspire a Stephen King horror. As fog hangs above the water’s surface, I hope I’m not the inspiration for his next novel as rows of eyes stare back at me.
Peering closer, I spot tiny water rail birds on the banks of the river in the German town of Koblenz. Beyond them, I hear the kettles of sleepy residents whistle from inside their wooden-clad houses.
I’m onboard VIVA Cruises’ newest ship, the 190-guest VIVA Enjoy, sailing from Dusseldorf to Frankfurt. Fortunately, the birds and residents of Koblenz are undisturbed thanks to noise-cancelling technology, designed to silence the ship’s engines.
The vessel cuts through the water without a peep. Headquartered in Germany, VIVA Cruises has leant on its northern European heritage to produce an elegant river vessel bolstered by the high-level engineering that our Bavarian neighbours are known for.
Elegant by design Following the ship’s christening in Dusseldorf – in which its godmother, the UK cruise journalist Jeannine Williamson, blessed the vessel during an intimate ceremony – I step onboard my home for the next two nights.
The atrium, which is stylish and spacious, features a boutique packed with jewellery and designer clothing. The mezzanine balcony makes the space feel larger than it is and a colourful floral centrepiece is a nice welcome after a long day of shoreside adventure.
Two smiling faces await me at the main desk with all the information I need ahead of my cruise south to Frankfurt. Armed with my keycard and a sense of anticipation, I head to my cabin down the oak panelled corridor adorned with stylishly lit artwork.
My ensuite cabin features a large double bed, a walk-in shower and a colour scheme which evokes the feeling of waves lapping against your feet while you take in the rays on a beach.
It also has ample storage, a desk and enough amenities – like a packed minifridge and luxury toiletries – to ensure I don’t need to make a frantic shoreside dash to grab missing essentials.
After unpacking, I peer out of my French balcony to get a sense of my surroundings and spot a cyclist whizzing by in the direction of the 9th-century Basilica of St Castor, which I can see in the distance. A chill prickles the hairs on my arms to attention. After all, I’m sailing in the middle of January, so I crank up the heat on the air conditioning system.
Sliding shut the door I turn my attention to my devices. Wi-Fi is crucial in this day and age, but I discover that I have to take my phone and laptop to reception and ask a crew member to connect them one by one to activate it, which seems needlessly complicated. However, once I’m online, the connection is stellar.
The Bistro, towards the rear of the vessel, is the perfect spot for some light afternoon reading as a wake forming at the back of the ship signals the maiden voyage is underway.
Hushed tones and warm, golden lighting make me feel as if I’ve stepped into a high-end restaurant off the cobbled streets of Paris.
This is where I catch up with VIVA Cruises’ managing director Andrea Kruse. “The third new build in our fleet gives us new scope again, not only with regard to our routings, but also with regard to our international guests,” she says.
“We have grown over the past five years, as has our customer base and the demand from international guests.” It’s safe to say there are no signs of stagnation from VIVA.
The bistro serves snacks, lunch and dinner throughout the day. The menu offers decadant plates, such as smoked salmon tartare blinis, beef rib-eye steak and banana foster with vanilla ice cream.
I opt for a hearty oxtail terrine, minty herb-infused veal tenderloin and zesty cinnamon-infused orange tart. Afterwards, I spend the evening enjoying negronis and nibbles in the mezzanine bar at the front of the ship, which connects to the main restaurant, Riverside. Then I hit the hay to prepare for day two.
It’s too chilly to make use of the free rental bikes and pool on the sun deck, so the first thing on my list is to head to the gym on deck one to burn off last night’s dinner. The gym offers facilities rarely found on river ships, such as a yoga room and massage studio.
Revitalisation was clearly the aim when the Swiss designed the vessel. As well as a wide range of dumbbells, I spot a rowing machine, a static bike and a treadmill that for some reason directly faces the wall rather than the window with a stunning river view just to my right.
We have grown over the past five years, as has our customer base and the demand from international guests
After freshening up I visit the Panorama Salon, a bar above Riverside with plush sofas, uninterrupted river views and waiter service. Then it’s time to head to the ship’s main restaurant, Moments, where terracotta tiles and vine leaves suspended from wooden planters instantly transport me to Tuscany.
As I’m guided to my table, I note the kitchen’s stone pizza oven, which confirms my decision on what to order. I smell the aroma of melted cheese even before my dish arrives.
It’s huge, so much so I can’t clear my plate, despite it being mouth-wateringly tasty. As we sail into Frankfurt, the cruise is over all too soon.
My experience on VIVA Enjoy is short and sweet, but it’s clear VIVA Cruises has found a way to keep their loyal customers happy while offering the sleek, no-nonsense design the British river cruise market relishes. Next time, I hope to stay for longer.
VIVA Cruises’ four-night Canals and Culture cruise aboard VIVA Enjoy, return from Dusseldorf via Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Nijmegen, departs 15 January 2026, from £695pp. viva-cruises.com
